Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has lashed out at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing him of insensitivity and seeking personal attention during the national mourning of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement on Wednesday, Keyamo condemned the timing of Atiku’s resignation, describing it as an “attempt to draw the spotlight away from a solemn moment of national grief.” According to him, the former presidential candidate deliberately chose a sensitive period to announce his departure from the PDP, a move he labeled as self-serving and politically opportunistic.
“While I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time,” Keyamo stated, “releasing your resignation letter during the week Nigeria is mourning the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari is a clear attempt to redirect national attention to yourself. The fact that you signed and released the letter just hours after the announcement of his death shows a troubling lack of empathy and obsession with your presidential ambition.”
The aviation minister also took issue with Atiku’s use of Nigeria’s Coat of Arms on the letterhead of his resignation notice, calling it both “morally and legally wrong.” Citing Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, Keyamo noted that it is a criminal offense for any private citizen or former government official to use the national symbol for personal or political communication.
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He argued that such usage amounts to impersonation and could mislead the public into thinking Atiku still holds an official government position. “Morally, it is reprehensible. Imagine a scenario where every former official continues to use the Coat of Arms in their personal communications, it would cause chaos and erode the authority the symbol represents,” he warned.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and serving cabinet member, defended his right to publicly call out the former vice president. “I have a bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and as a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution. Please, be well guided,” he concluded.
Atiku Abubakar, who has contested for Nigeria’s presidency multiple times, recently announced his resignation from the PDP, sparking widespread speculation about his next political move. However, the timing and symbolism used in his resignation letter have now triggered backlash from key figures within the current administration.
